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Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ will destroy Medicaid, Food Stamps and other safety net programs for low-income people
Stephen A Crockett Jr , NewsOne
The bill would extend tax cuts from 2017 and would include Trump’s 2024 campaign promises not to tax tips, Social Security, and car interest loans There would also be a larger deduction, $32,000 for couples, a boost to the Child Tax Credit, and a $30,000 cap on state and local tax deductions
That s offset by $1 9 trillion in savings largely from the rollback of green energy tax credits, for a net tally of $3 7 trillion in costs over the decade, according to the most recent estimates along with billions more in savings from the safety net cuts ” AP reports
See Big, Beautiful Bill, p 6
FY 2026 Budget Plan cuts and guts education dollars and programs
By Charlene Crowell
(TriceEdneyWire com) - In the first 100 days of the current Trump Administration term, over 250,000 federal employees have had their jobs cut, planned to be cut or have taken a buyout according to a recent New York Times tally With a 46 percent staff reduction –1,380 employees - the Department of Education is among the hardest hit agencies
The recently released FY 2026 budget plan underscores the administration’s determination to shutter the agency and eliminate programs that support the nation s strides to remain educationally competitive and economically viable in a global economy
See Budget Plan, p 6
DOJ charges N.J. congresswoman with assaulting law enforcement at ICE facility
By Raquel Coronell Uribe and Ryan J Reilly, NBC News
Delancey Hall ICE detention prison, in Newark, N J Angelina Katsanis / AP file
WASHINGTON The Justice Department has filed charges against a Democratic member of Congress alleging that she assaulted law enforcement officers during a protest outside an immigration detention facility in New Jersey earlier this month
Rep LaMonica McIver D-N J faces two counts of assaulting resisting and impeding law enforcement officials in connection with an incident at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Newark, according to court documents made public on Tuesday
See DOJ, p 6
South Africans dispute claims of genocide against white farmers in their country
By Curtis Bunn, NBC News
at
Superintendent submits end-of-school per sonnel and pr og r am adjustments
Gr eene County School System gets Clean Report fr om State Examiner s Of fice
The Greene County Board of Education held its monthly session Monday May 19, 2025 with all board members present, with the exception of Mr Brandon Merriweather
The first presentation to the board was the FY 2024 State Audit Report given by Ms Shelly Patrenos of the State Examiners Office The audit review focused on Title I Federal Program and the Child Nutrition Program
Ms Patrenos applauded the board and staff for having a ‘clean report ’ She commended CSFO Ms Marquita Lennon for the excellence and transparency of her work The full State Audit report will be available to the board by the end of June
The board acted on the personnel and administrative items, presented by Superintendent Dr Corey
Greene County
Jones, which signal the usual procedures for ending the regular school term and initiating programs and project for the summer session
The board approved the following administrative service items recommended by the superintendent
* Quote from Glenwood to teach a 2-day MCS class for up to 10 staff members in the Greene County School System in the amount of $3 300
* Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Stericycle for biohazards pick up services for a pickup fee of $53 33 a month
* Quote from Allianz Solutions for ACT Bootcamp June 9 -12 for up to 25 students per session in the amount of $8,100
* Quote from C & J Resources for ACT Bootcamp
July 7 – 10 in the amount of $4 060
* Permission for Black Scholars Committee to use 2 buses to transport students from Greene County to Stillman College June 23 – July 18
* Code Explorers Partnership agreement with the Alabama State Department of Education s Computer Science for Alabama Initiative and Southeastern Center of Robotics Education (SCORE) at Auburn University for the following teachers: (Teachers will receive compensation via the program): Carolyn Beck –Kindergarten; Danielle Sanders-Williams – 1st grade; Montoya Binion –2nd grade; Walter Taylor –2nd grade
* 4-day work week for all extended employees beginning June 2, 2025, and ending July 26, 2025
* Payment of all bills
claims, and payroll
* Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs Marquita Lennon, CSFO * Certified bid from Game Day Athletic Surfaces Inc the only bidder in the amount of $1,683,748 00 for athletic improvements (Phase I Track)
• Superintendent to hire legal representation for personnel matter The personnel service items approved by the board included the following:
* Retirement of Trudi Finley Kindergarten teacher at Eutaw Primary School, effective June 1, 2025 * Resignations of Lorrisa Holder Science TEAMS teacher effective June 3, 2025
See School Board, p 2
Republican food stamp (SNAP) cuts thr eaten Ala bama’s economy and food security
Experts warn that Republicans plan to slash food assistance could devastate Alabama’s economy, increase hunger and strain state resources
By Alex Jobin, Alabama Political Reporters
Last week, Republican lawmakers in the U S House Agriculture Committee passed legislation that would cut as much as $300 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP which provides benefits to lowincome families to subsidize their food and grocery costs
More than 42 million Americans rely on SNAP to afford food, but Republicans are looking to gut the program in order to finance President Trump s big beautiful bill,” which, among other things, would expand tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans
APR spoke with Alabama Arise’s senior policy analyst Carol Gundlach to better understand what the Republican overhaul of SNAP entails and how cutting food stamps could affect Alabamians across the state
Gundlach began our conversation by detailing how the Republican proposal would shift the cost of administering SNAP from the federal government to the states, a move that would heavily impact Alabama s General Fund
“Assuming that it passes in the form that came out of the House Agriculture Committee, the real simple bottom line is it would cost Alabama at least $115 million to $120 million in General Fund money if you wanted to maintain the SNAP program ” Gundlach told APR Now, I say at least because what the bill that came out of the Ag Committee does is it increases Alabama s share of the cost of administering the SNAP program It basically moves that from 50 percent to 75 percent We think that would cost us $35 million more or less a year ” Gundlach explained that states could face even higher cost burdens under the proposal depending on their “error rate” when distributing SNAP benefits It would require that states pay for at least 5 percent of the actual cost of the food benefits that are distributed but it will increase that amount based
on the state ‘error rate The error rate is a really complicated formula that looks at how much states overpaid or underpaid in benefits and it looks at the timeliness of getting benefits out,” she explained “It is not a measure of fraud and you know [U S Rep Barry Moore, R-Ala ] during the committee discussion kept talking about the error rate representing fraud that is simply a misunderstanding of what the error rate is Alabama’s got one of the lowest error rates in the nation but we re at 7 percent and we ve always been real proud that we have such a good error rate We are worried about how this formula is gonna work itself out If we even just had to pay for 5 percent of benefits that would be a hit of about $90 million to the general fund
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Alabama could be hit with additional costs
ranging from $86 million to $431 million depending on the state s future error rates if the Republican legislation passes into law Between 2003 and 2023 Alabama s highest recorded error rate was 8 02 percent under the Republicans’ proposal that error rate would carry an estimated $344 million price tag for the state today However it is important to note that these cost estimates are based on the size of the population currently receiving SNAP benefits in Alabama In reality those costs would likely be lower than estimated if the legislation were to pass due to other provisions of the bill which would directly cut food benefits and terminate eligibility for many SNAP participants, thereby reducing Alabama’s financial obligation by kicking Alabamians off of SNAP Gundlach said she does not know how the state will be able to afford the increased cost of administering SNAP without letting many Alabamians go hungry “I simply can’t imagine how we could do this I spend my life watching the budgets and I have no idea, in a time of slightly declining revenues but also all kinds of other increased costs, how on Earth the general fund could come up with that amount of money every year, year in and year out
See SNAP, p. 2
from
A day after 59 white South Africans were welcomed to America as refugees more than 86 000 South African farmers who are mostly white are gathering this week at the NAMPO Harvest Day trade fair, an annual agricultural exhibition considered the largest in the Southern Hemisphere
See Genocide, p 6
On May 12, 2025, the Eutaw Police Department arrested John Gee, of Eutaw for disorderly conduct The Greene County Sheriff Department arrested Matthew Davenport 36 of Demopolis on May 14, for failure to appear for theft of property 4th degree On May 15, Doni Darby 41 of Tuscaloosa was arrested for failure to
appear for use/possession of drug paraphernalia and on May 16, Starclesha Hutton 23 of Boligee was arrested for failure to appear/failure to wear a seat belt
Eutaw Police Department reported the following incidents 5/9 - Michelle Williams reported an incident 5/10 - Dexter N Cooper reported an incident
County Sheriff Department reported the following bond 5/19 - Wesley McNeil was released on a bond of $1,000 for driving under the influence
Rep LaMonica McIver, D-N J , with Rep Rob Menendez and Rep Bonnie Watson Colemen holds a press conference on May 9, 2025 after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested while protesting at
Afrikaner refugees
South Africa,
Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Va , on May 12 Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
Carol’s Notes
Tribute to Malcolm X May 19 1925 – February 21 1965
Born Malcolm Little evolved to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
Invoking Malcolm’s Legacy
Malcolm, where are you
We’re losing you in our memory
Your words, your perceptions, your leadership, your spirit are trailing
Slipping behind into a vagueness
You laid out your soul and sacrificed your life
Yet, where is the soul searching in our lives, on your behalf
We’ve dimmed the light before your image We’re losing our way
You’ve not left us, Malcolm Your legacy stands in its brilliance
We’ve abandoned the guidance of your spirituality
We’ve neglected the teachings of your experiences
And we forget to call your name to keep you alive among us
Where are you, Malcolm And where are we without you
Carol Prejean Zippert
•Employment of Lorrisa Holder, Career Counselor at Greene County Career Center (10-month) * Letters of termination for “Additional Services” contracts to the following employees: (Separate Contract): Greene County High School - Janice JeamesAskew - Athletic Director; Corey Cockrell - Head Football Coach; Zaddrick SmithAssistant Football; Tracey Hunter - Head Girls track; Torethia Mitchell – Head Girls Basketball & Volleyball; Patricia Maiden – Assistant Volleyball; Rodney Wesley - Assistant Boys Basketball (JV), Head Baseball; Howard Crawford - Head Boys Basketball/Head Boys Track; Lorrisa Holder - Assistant Girls Basketball;Kirin Greene – Band Director; Paula Calligan – Dance-line Coach; Drenda Morton – Cheerleader Sponsor
•Personnel for Summer Learning program at a rate of $50 an hour for Educators and $25 00 an hour for Aides June 2-30 2025 Monday - Thursday 8:00 am -1:00 pm Eutaw Primary School: Pamela Pasteur; Pamela McGee; Keisha Williams; LaShaun Henley; Gwendolyn Webb – Aide; Mary Hobson Special Services Aide; Carla Durrett Robert Brown Middle School:Vanessa Bryant; Demetria Lyles; Talicia Williams; Raven Bryant; Felecia Smith Greene County High School-Credit Recovery: Janice Jeames Askew; Drenda Morton – Aide; Angela Harkness; Jacqueline Edwards, Custodian
* Non-renewal of the following employees: Eutaw Primary School- Shana Lucy, Third grade Teacher; Katina Mickens, Special Ed Teacher Robert Brown Middle School - Dena Jordan, 7th/8th grade Math TEAMS teacher; Cedric Murry, 7th/8th grade Business teacher; Dawn Cook, 6th grade teacher
* Personnel for CTE Camp to be paid at a rate of $40 00 per hour - June 23 - 27 2025: LaMonica Little; Shamyra Jones
•Personnel to participate in AMSTI training sessions on July 29 and 30 2025 from 8:30 am-3:30 pm with a stipend to be paid to educators at $37 50 per hour: Robert Brown Middle School - Annie Howard; Demetria Lyles; Vanessa Bryant; Akia Williams; Henry Miles; Tavaris Lacy; Breshayla Hoskins
CSFO Marquita Lennon presented the following financial snapshot for the period ending April 30, 2025 General fund balance totaled $8,116,154 66 (reconciles to the summary cash report ) Accounts payable check register totaled $322 328 95 Payroll register totaled $931,658 39 (total gross pay to include employer match items) The combined ending fund balance totaled $8,243,402 36 In operating reserves, the school system has 7 79 months in combined general fund research; 7 79 months in cash reserve All bank accounts have been reconciled Then local revenue report showed $124,171 05 in property taxes; $86 572 81 in sales taxes and $5 040 96 in other taxes all totaling $215,784 82
Superintendent Jones’ report to the board gave overviews of the various closing of school activities He also noted that the Eutaw Primary ACAP test scores were complete, but the results are still in embargo not officially released Jones proudly stated that the scholars demonstrated 100% growth improvement
SNAP
And if they push us to more than 5 percent, which is possible, I really don’t see how we could do it ” Gundlach said “And so that leaves the state in a really difficult position They could try to push people off of SNAP and there are some procedural ways that could be done under existing law because if you get the population down, the benefits go down but it’ll leave people out there hungry ”
“And so there are implications for the state budget that I’m really worried about but there are also implications for people who get SNAP benefits because if they can’t get the SNAP benefits because the state can t pay their match, then they re left hungry and they ve already cut food banks back, she continued I have no idea how Congress thinks people can feed their families if this bill passes ”
Gundlach also expressed that she views the legislation as a way to shift the blame for cutting social services away from federal lawmakers and instead pinning it on the states I think it s really upsetting that what they re basically doing is they want to cut access to SNAP, and to Medicaid, and to a number of other programs, but they don’t want Congress to have to take the heat And so they’re just pushing it to the states and they’re pushing the cost to the states and then they’re going to let the Alabama legislature or the governor have to decide who gets hurt and who doesn t, and that s pretty awful, Gundlach said Gundlach also lambasted the Republicans’ explicit desire to slash programs like SNAP and Medicaid as a vehicle for financing further tax cuts for the ultra-rich
“Of course that s the the biggest factor here is [Republicans] have got this bill that extends the tax cuts that were passed eight years ago, which are cuts that disproportionately benefit the richest people in the country: millionaires and billionaires I mean it really is a billionaire tax cut,” Gundlach said “It would extend those tax cuts, but they’ve gotta pay for it under Congress’ rules so how do you pay for it? Well you could pay for it by increasing taxes on other people increasing taxes on the rich and not giving them these tax cuts, or you can cut benefit programs for the poor They re choosing to cut food assistance for hungry families and hungry children and health care for the sick and the disabled in order to give tax cuts to billionaires and it’s pretty awful It’s pretty
deplorable ” In 2024, over 750,000 Alabamians 15 percent of the state s total population received SNAP benefits SNAP also brought an average of 115,000 Alabamians, including 51,000 children, above the poverty line each year between 2015 and 2019
“The people who are on SNAP are disproportionately families with children in the household They are disproportionately the elderly and the disabled and are just very low-income people And a lot of them are, you know, the working poor people who are working 20 hours a week as a cashier and are working hard to support their families
Those are the people who are going to pay the cost for this,” Gundlach noted
Beyond the immediate impact which reducing SNAP benefits would have on poorer Alabamians, Gundlach also highlighted the downstream consequences which these cuts could have on local businesses and the state economy Currently, around 5,000 retail locations are authorized to sell food to SNAP beneficiaries in Alabama
“Between [SNAP and Medicaid] we ve got a really big population of Alabama that gets U S benefits, and they spend those SNAP benefits at grocery stores The National Grocers Association and the Alabama Grocers Association are very concerned because they represent the little independent grocery stores, and it’s those independents that are most dependent on SNAP expenditures ” Gundlach noted
So the less SNAP money that gets spent at those grocery stores that means little bitty towns are going to lose their Piggly Wiggly, they re going to lose their independents even Walmarts are going to get hurt,” she continued “Those are jobs, those are locally owned businesses that employ local people and they’re going to run the risk of having to lay people off or closing for good leaving the whole community without a grocery store Same thing would be true with Medicaid, they spend those benefits at doctor s offices and hospitals and pharmacies If we cut people off of Medicaid, we re losing rural hospitals ”
With Republican in-fighting over Trump’s budget package casting uncertainty on which domestic policy proposals will ultimately become law Gundlach said she simply cannot predict whether or not the proposed SNAP cuts will actually take effect Regardless, she said that Alabama Arise will continue to push back against such policies
“Alabama Arise and all of our partners all over the state are really working to engage our congressional delegation to understand how serious this would be for Alabama And that s true all over the country Gundlach said
Now that it has passed out of the House Agriculture committee, the legislation to cut SNAP is now being considered by the House Budget Committee where it must first pass before it can see a full floor vote in the chamber
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Don’t
Poetry
School Boar d
La Ga
& Win n W ed
Fosters, AL: Congratulations are in order for newlyweds Aeriel Winn and LeZyon Laurence LaGarde The happy couple was married on April 26th at The Villa in Fosters, Alabama The couple brought tears to the eyes of their closest friends and family as they exchanged hand written vows and professed their love for one another Guests were able to enjoy delicious hors devours like lobster rolls and philly cheesesteak turnovers and signature cocktails during happy hour The star of the menu was the lamb chops and mac and cheese station served during reception It was an event to remember as everyone celebrated the beautiful couple all night long. The newly crowned Mrs is the daughter of Luther Winn III and Annette Head Spencer She is the granddaughter of Luther and Annie Winn; and Annie Head The groom is the son of Daphne Long and LeZyon Louis LaGarde; and the grandson of Clarence and Marion Huggins The newlyweds plan to honeymoon in Greece later this year
Garria and Althenia Spencer celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary After 50 Years, We Still Do
Gr eene County Retir ees Association holds annual luncheon
Submitted by:
Severe Snoddy-Strode
The Greene County Education Retirees Association Annual luncheon meeting was held Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 2:00 pm at Cajun Cafe Eutaw AL
Greetings were given by President Loydleettee J Wabbington and Superintendent Dr Corey Jones Devotional reading provided by Mrs Alfretta Crawford with a song and prayer by Mrs Bessie U Means A Memorial Tribute was done by Mrs Severe Snoddy-Strode with lighting of candles and reading of a poem, :Memories Forever"
The special guest was Honorable Jonathan "Joe" Benison, Sheriff of Greene County Sheriff Benison stated that he will continue to embark upon the fight for what is right, nothing personal or political, but what is right He stressed that he is at the disposal of all citizens of Greene County He gave some important information on telephone fraud/scam and domestic violence His staff member Mrs Emma Jackson, passed out gift bags from the Sheriff's office Ms Kinsten Wearbon Alabama State Director of Impact Americorps was a speaker/presenter from Birmingham, AL Mrs Geraldine Walton gave a report of the AERA An-
nual District meeting of May 29, 2025 in Montgomery, Al Greene County Education Retirees Association received the AERA Community Award for outstanding achievement - Category VII - 2024-2025, received a Resolution and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Greene County Career Center by Mrs Teresa Atkins, GCCC Director Mrs Marva Smith Coordinator of Adopt- A School, gave updates of the activities/programs that the GCERA participated in Recognitions off birthdays and door prizes were exchanged Everyone enjoyed their delicious, tasty lunch at Cajun Cafe
The gala event celebrating the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Garria and Althenia Spencer, of Union AL, was held Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Eutaw Activity Center The couple’s theme: After 50 Years, We Still Do sealed the cherished bond they still share, in times of laughter and tears, mourning and healing, but forever together.
Groom Garria is escorted by his daughter Rhoda; Bride Althenia is escorted by sons Kelvin and Derrick Ms Marilyn Sanford served as Toastmistress; Mr Marvin Turner provided musical selections Children, grandchildren, siblings and friends shared vignettes of love and care doted on them by two extraordinary people, Garria and Althenia Spencer The room was adorned in black and gold, a magnificent display of art decor, compliments of Ms. Latosha Johnson and family.
A delicious meal was prepared and served by the family
A contagious joy emanated for all in attendance
Eutaw Housing Authority extends a ppr eciation for Black Gir ls Dr eam Confer ence
Eutaw Housing Authority Enrichment Program would like to thank West Alabama Action Group, Inc for the donation to help support our efforts to attend the Black Girls Dream Conference to be held on June 6,7,8, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Your donation will help us expose low-income children and families to positive workshops and experiences designed to activate, motivate, innovate, and rejuvenate Thanks for helping us realize that our DREAM can become our REALITY Ms Mollie Rowe serves as Executive Director at Eutaw Housing Authority
Tombigbee RC&D Council’s 2026 grant cycle will begin on April 1st-June 30th 2025! To submit applications please access the Grant Application and Information section under our Grants tab at www tombigbeercd org/grant-guidelines/ We will be using Foundant for our application forms and reimbursement forms again and this software requires our applicants to create an account with Foundant before you can complete an application Organizations eligible for consideration must be registered as 501C3 not-for-profit entities, units, or sub-units of government Projects must take place in one or more of the eight counties served by the Tombigbee RC&D Council: Bibb Fayette Greene Hale Lamar Pickens Sumter or Tuscaloosa Detailed grant guidelines from the Tombigbee RC&D Council can also be found on our website It is important to note that all grants awarded operate on a reimbursement-only basis; funds are disbursed upon project completion We look forward to working with our grantees this FY26 grant season!
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Town of Boligee will hold a public hearing on June 4, 2025 at 11:00 am at the Boligee Town Hall, 17404 CR 20, Boligee, AL 35443 to discuss the Town’s submission of an application for the Fiscal Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program The Town of Boligee is interested in obtaining all citizens’ input on community development needs with the Town limits Activities that are eligible for funding include the improvement of public works, public facilities, housing rehabilitation, and others allowed by law At least 51% of the funds must be used to benefit low and moderate-income persons The Town is proposing to apply for $400 000 in funding for a playground All citizens are encouraged to attend in order to comment on the proposed activities No displacement of persons will be proposed For more information, or if you require special accommodations at the hearing, please contact Sharon Washington, Town Clerk, at (205) 336-8531
Geor ge F loyd five year s later : Was it a Moment or a Movement?
Marc H Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League
(TriceEdneyWire com) -
All Americans are entitled to live with the confidence that the law enforcement officers and agencies in their communities will live up to our Nation’s founding ideals and will protect the rights of all persons Particularly in African-American communities, we must redouble our efforts as a Nation to swiftly address instances of misconduct ”- Presidential Executive Order on Safe Policing for Safe Communities, June 16, 2020
None of us can forget the moment we saw the murder of George Floyd unfolding before our very eyes The sight of a white officer ’s knee squeezing the life from a helpless Black man in handcuff as he begged for mercy shocked the nation – a nation that had already seen police kill at least 17 other unarmed Black people just five months into the year I know what I felt at the time and I m sure you know how you felt But let me share the immediate reaction of someone else:
“It should never happen, should never be allowed to happen a thing like that I understand the hurt I understand the pain The family of George is entitled to justice, and the people of Minnesota are entitled to live in safety Americans will honor the memory of George and the Floyd family It s a horrible, horrible situation
Those were the words of President Donald Trump
In the aftermath of George Floyd s murder President Trump issued an executive order to reform policing It included a directive to create a publicly searchable database of substantiated misconduct and excessive force claims against federal police officers It tightened use-offorce rules, banned chokeholds and encouraged law enforcement to better address the needs of vulnerable populations
Five years later, with
Topsy Tur vey Toxic Policy - Oppr essed South Africans?
by Julianne Malveaux
(TriceEdneyWire com)
Critical thinking has taken
-
Trump once again in the Oval Office that commitment to accountability not only has dried up, but reversed itself with a vengeance Last month he issued an executive order to “unleash” violent police and his supporters are urging him to pardon George Floyd s murderer
At this critical moment, the nation must ask itself the essential question: Did we seize the moment to build a lasting movement or did we squander the chance for transformative change?
The National League's new report George Floyd Five Years Later: Was It A Moment, Or A Movement? examines the ways in which government, institutions, advocates, and the business community mobilized in the five years since George Floyd s death to advance policing reform and racial justice
It also traces the rise of political and cultural backlash that has challenged and in some cases reversed, that progress
During the first year after the murder, corporations pledged more than $66 billion to racial justice
These commitments included increased funding for minority-owned businesses, supplier diversity programs, and DEI initiatives S&P 100 companies grew their U S workforce by more than 323 000 in 2021 – and 94% of their new hires were people of color
But in the backlash that followed DEI job postings declined 44% from 2022 to 2023 Major companies like Google and Meta cut DEI programs supporting Black talent
Anti-DEI rhetoric gained traction and anti-equality activists like Edward Blum mounted successful challenges to racial equity programs Federal policies followed a similar trajectory
President Joe Biden issued an executive order immediately upon taking office, directing all agencies to create racial equity plans
The administration partnered with the National Urban League and other civil rights groups to not only to develop specific policies to address racial inequities, but to ensure fairness in initiatives like American Rescue Plan the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act
See Marc H Morial, p 6
a leave of absence Reality is unreal History is inverted so the villains become the victims and the victims the villains Shakespeare captured it in Macbeth when the witches say “fair is foul and foul is fair Sounds like the policies that emanate from this 47th President I could write treatises about the illegality and illegitimacies of this President s policies, and many of them – the arrest of Newark Mayor of Ras Baraka the precipitous firing of Library of Congress leader Carla Hayden, just the latest, but so many breaches of decency and protocol
This president does not care about decency, nor about protocol And clearly with his amusing executive order Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History", he neither cares about truth or history It is the executive order, not a law, not enforceable, simple rhetoric, that has both sparked lawsuits and caused museum executives to return his-
toric items to their donors I never thought anyone would make me long for former President George W Bush We used to joke about how little he must have read when we spied him reading the upside down comic book after September 11 But whatever he read he had enough sense to help establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAC) He had enough sense to increase US assistance to Africa through HIV global funding economic development assistance through the African Growth and Development Act (AGOA) and other legislation He had enough sense to meet with 35 African heads of state, including, in 2001, South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki I wonder today what the two Presidents talked about when they met I am certain they did not talk about the way Afrikaners who colonized South Africa and exploited its Black natives, were oppressed”
Our current President does not value history though He makes it up as he goes along, and he has an unfortunate coterie of power-hungry sycophants who know better but muffle themselves for fear of being exiled from their lying leader So White South Africans the oppressive Afrikaners who exploited Black labor for generations (hello, Mississippi) are now feeling “discriminated against” because the new South
African constitution allow people to take back some of the land that was stolen from them
Inversive thinking Down is up and up is down A President who says he wants to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse sent a plane to pick up “oppressed” South African land barons grant them refugee status, and offer them resettlement assistant (fraud waste and abuse) here in the United States
Our President has prioritized White South Africans, perhaps because his purchased co-President is from that country Of the approximately resettlers, how many are his relatives or friends? And since he is so flush with cash will he reimburse our government for his costly attempt to impose racial hierarchy in foreign policy?
Does our elected President and his purchased coPresident Musk hope to resettle the entire Afrikaner population to the United States providing them with monetary assistance to compensate them for “discrimination” Sounds like fraud waste and abuse, along with a warped form of affirmative action to me
But executive order 14151 – “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing" – eliminated that, along with Executive Order 14173 – Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit Based Opportunity” seem to preserve preference for white people, especially ex-
ploitive Afrikaners who were only able to accumulate property in South Africa by aggressively wiping out the lives of Black South Africans Topsy-turvy toxic policy that reinforces our President s anti-Blackness as well as his ignorance of history It is a slap in the face of the heralded South African President Nelson Mandela, as well as an attack of generations of anti-apartheid activists, including Randall Robinson, Mary Frances Barry, Ron Dellums, Dr Dorothy Height Harry Belafonte and others While Black Republicans were not notable activists, many played quiet roles in our nation’s (contested) opposition to apartheid So General Colin Powell helped implement parts of the Comprehensive AntiApartheid Act (1986) after it was passed over by President Reagan s veto But Black Republicans, especially at the local level were reluctant to challenge their President for fear of political consequences (sound familiar?) We can expect more topsy turvey toxic policy from this administration, where down is up, up is down victims are villains and villains are victims The peculiar distortion of South African’s history is especially egregious, but not unexpected What’s next?
Dr Julianne Malveaux is a DC based economist and author She can be reached at juiannemalveaux com
Cutting Ener g y Star hur ts Americans –and helps no one but polluter s
By Ben Jealous
(TriceEdneyWire com) -
Look for the Energy Star
Most Americans know that is excellent advice to anyone appliance shopping That little blue label saves American consumers roughly $40 billion a year in energy costs every year
With the program s modest price tag – less than one percent of the EPA’s total spending – Americans save a whopping $1 250 for every single dollar spent on Energy Star And Americans know that little blue symbol means less wasted energy and cleaner air It helps families stretch their paychecks and do right by the planet at the same time
Since the Energy Star public-private partnership began in 1992, it has helped save American households and businesses more than $500 billion on energy costs It has more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions (roughly the equivalent of annual pollution from 933 million cars) And it has done so while empowering consumers with better information – not by taking anything away What that looks like at the local level is homes and businesses in a large city like Chicago saving $116 6 million a year in energy
costs, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 539 500 metric tons Now Donald Trump wants to get rid of it Virtually no one thinks that would be wise In March a large group of manufacturers and industry associations joined a letter calling on Environmental Protections Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to keep the popular EPA program The US Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and others said, eliminating [Energy Star] will not serve the American people ” and they pointed out that because of consumers high awareness of the program –to the tune of 90% brand awareness – the results if it is eliminated would be decreased features, functionality, performance, or increased costs” of appliances Energy Star certified homes typically save around $450 per year on energy bills In 2020 alone the program’s emissions reductions amounted to more than five percent of total US greenhouse gas emissions That year the program s energy savings also improved health outcomes for communities by preventing 210 000 tons each of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide pollutants, and 20,000 tons of fine particulate matter (PM2 5) The public health benefits from those reductions in air pollution were estimated to be as high as $17 billion!
Further, the estimated annual market value of Energy Star product sales is more than $100 billion And of domestic energy efficiency jobs about 35% are in the manufacturing and installation of Energy Star products As of 2020,
that was more than 790,000 American jobs
In his latest attack on common sense Trump is trying to eliminate one of the federal government’s most successful, least controversial and most popular consumer protection tools
Ending Energy Star is not a serious policy move It is performative politics at its worst It is virtue signaling” to fossil fuel extremists from a man desperate to please his donors while punishing regular people for choosing clean, affordable options
Targeting the program as part of some sort of ideological deregulation agenda doesn t even make sense because it is not a regulation It does not force anybody to buy or produce anything It is simply a voluntary, science-based labeling system It helps consumers compare appliances and other products based on their energy efficiency It helps Americans cut down their energy bills And it helps reduce pollution that hurts our lungs and heats our planet
That is why Americans across the political spectrum support it It is an example of our government doing something simple, effective and bipartisan At least it used to be
Donald Trump s push to dismantle this program is a perfect example of how MAGA hardliners have turned their backs on the very people they claim to represent This is not about freedom or choice It is about controlling the market to benefit fossil fuel interests It is about keeping consumers in the dark And it is about making sure families have fewer tools to protect themselves from rising costs
Ask yourself: why, in the middle of what Trump and his allies keep calling an energy emergency would you go out of your way to kill a program that helps people save so much money energy? The only people who benefit are the fossil fuel executives who profit when homes and appliances waste more of it When people waste energy because they unknowingly buy inefficient products, the fossil fuel industry makes more money That is the whole ballgame It is a rigged system that leaves working Americans with higher bills while big polluters cash in The Energy Star label helps consumers break that cycle
Cutting Energy Star would be a betrayal of the millions of Americans who are already struggling to afford groceries, gas, and electricity It would hurt seniors trying to stay warm in winter It would hurt young families buying their first refrigerator It would hurt renters in cities and homeowners in rural towns alike No one benefits – except the lobbyists and the oil barons Energy Star gives every American the chance to choose better, smarter options Scrapping it to score cheap points with the same special interests that are holding our country back defies common sense Americans deserve leaders who will fight to keep our bills low, our homes efficient, and our future sustainable
Ben Jealous is the Executive Director of the Sierra Club and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania
fr
Resistance to Reconstr uction to Reima gining
By LaTosha Brown
Our politics will not save us but it will be our humanity Our silence will not protect us it will be our resistance Our fears will never advance or evolve our nation it will only keep us stuck and moving backwards ” In this moment of national reckoning Black people must see ourselves not just as defenders of our humanity, but as the visionaries and architects of a world yet to be born For too long we have pleaded with a nation to recognize what should never have been in question – our fundamental humanity Today, I am calling for a shift in consciousness that moves us from defense to creation, from resistance to reconstruction from surviving to reimagining
We are witnessing an intense anti-Black campaign disguised as opposition to DEI, Critical Race Theory, and Black history This is an attempt to erase us our history, and our collective memory But those who seek to silence us forget something fundamental –we have been meeting, gathering strategizing and convening for our freedom ever since we reached the shores of this nation Make no mistake: We are the architects of democracy in America From Black visionary W E B Du Bois s pioneering scholarship to Black visionary Ida B Wells’s fearless anti-lynching crusade, we have always been at the forefront of expanding what democracy means We pushed this nation to make what exists on paper real and sustainable But it’s not paper that gives us our value We have value just by our presence on this planet
We are builders of a dream that has yet to be realized We believed in this nation when she was unable to believe in herself There is no America without the 14th Amendment There is no justice when racism shapes public policy As we embark on what Rev Dr William Barber calls “America’s third reconstruction, we must ground ourselves in five essential pillars: Vision Voice Values Victory, and Vote
Vision: Black people have always been the visionaries, seeing beyond systems designed to limit us From Black visionary Sojourner Truth speaking truth to power to the Black visionaries of the Movement for Black Lives reimagining public safety we have consistently imagined societies more just and inclusive than what existed
Voice: Once we have vision, we must speak it into existence with authenticity and the full authority of our lived experience Too many of us have been told our voices don’t matter
This moment requires our full-throated truth-telling
Values: Values are our compass when the path is unclear Do we value people over profit? Community over competition? Justice over convenience? When our actions align with our values, we become unstoppable
Victory: We must claim
victories along the journey Victory is when a first-time voter casts their ballot when a community stops environmental racism when a young Black girl finds her voice Vote: Look to the 1963 Freedom Vote in Mississippi, when over 80,000 Black Mississippians participated in a mock election in response to their disenfranchisement This powerful act laid the groundwork for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party led by Fannie Lou Hamer They didn’t wait for permission to claim their democratic power; they asserted it
Some suggest we are tired of protesting, marching and fighting Let me be clear: We aren t tired of action we’re tired of insufficient progress We re exhausted by trying to reform systems deliberately designed to create inequality, rooted in racism and white supremacy We re exhausted by constantly having to prove our humanity or justify our worthiness of equity and justice
We never tire of taking care of our families creating lives of safety, security, and joy What we are tired of is systems that extract our brilliance while marginalizing us, institutions that proclaim justice while implementing barriers to advancement
The real question isn’t whether to continue struggling it’s how to transform our struggle from defense to innovation and creation Black people must be visionaries not just survivors We must unapologetically stand in the fullness of our humanity, citizenship and power
We must be institution builders like Black visionary Dr Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded a college with $1 50 and faith We must be healers like Black visionary Fannie Lou Hamer, who established the Freedom Farm Cooperative We must think differently about harm reduction like Black visionary Alicia Garza and the founders of Black Lives Matter We must be the first line of defense for each other, like the Black visionaries of the Black Panther Party with their community programs
We can no longer think just as citizens of a nation that we’ve pleaded with for 400 years to recognize our humanity Instead, we must see ourselves as founders of a new nation yet unborn – one that understands that diversity is our strength inclusion is our goal, and justice is our birthright
This is not separatism but transformation We are not leaving America; we are becoming the America that has always existed in our freedom dreams – the America that Black visionary Marcus Garvey envisioned through Black ownership, that Black visionary Ella Baker glimpsed when she empowered ordinary people to lead themselves
The time has come to move beyond defending what should never have needed defense On the dawn of America s sesquicentennial (250th birthday), we will not accept anything less than what we deserve We must build new systems and explore new ways of thinking, not just reform those designed to oppress us The real opportunity is to assert our power and build something better for all of humanity
LaTosha Brown is the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, which is dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement and increasing progressive power through grassroots movement-building T
Senate Sketches #1978.....by Hank Sander s Painting outside the lines: a word portrait.
Painting outside the lines Many years ago, our teacher had us children coloring in class She gave strict instructions to color inside the lines only One of my fellow students kept coloring inside and outside the lines After repeated instructions from the teacher, the student continued to color in and outside the lines Painting outside the lines
The teacher was frustrated and eventually became furious Other students were mad with the young student for coloring outside the lines I wanted the teacher and students to stop bothering this young student I understood why the student was coloring outside the lines I understood that he had a different vision Painting outside the lines
I married a woman who paints outside the lines We have been married for more than the double nickel: 55 years Today, May 20, is my wife Faya Rose’s 80th birthday At 80 years of age she still paints outside the lines in nearly everything she does I understand why she paints outside the lines People still react strongly to her painting inside and outside the lines I know that she perceives a different vision Painting outside the lines
That different vision is the foundation of a flourishing creativity I see it in how she builds organizations I see it in how she tries cases in court I see it in how she does public speaking I see it in how she leads I see it in how she raises our children and has helped raise other children I see it in how she gives I also see that various people are uncomfortable I see how some are intimidated I see how some become furious I see how some attack Painting outside the lines
Many years ago, my law partner J L Chestnut, Jr had a trial set on a Monday I went with him on a Friday to help persuade the judge to continue the case The other lawyers were present J L tried hard to get the case continued but the other lawyers resisted fiercely and the judge was also strong in his opposition to a continuance Finally, J L Chestnut, Jr , stood up to leave He turned back to the judge and lawyers and said “I will not be at the trial on Monday I will send Rose to try this case ” I saw the look that flooded the faces of the judge and lawyers They knew that she painted outside the lines in trials They knew her to be extremely tenacious and an attorney to fight every possible legal point in a trial Immediately the trial was continued Painting outside the lines
I see how Faya paints outside the lines in building organizations Three of the many organizations she led the way in building have had national and or international impact I am not suggesting that Faya built the organizations by herself because others including me and various others, helped But she was the moving force One is the Black Belt Arts and Culture Center (BBACC) A second is the Twenty First Century Youth Leadership Movement (21C) A third is the Bridge Crossing Jubilee She insisted on a slew of activities She insisted on integrating cultural activities such as music dance plays skits poetry, workshops, etc She insisted on intense movement She employed creativity Painting outside the lines
Once when we were in a foreign country (I think it
was India), Faya insisted on giving money to any child who asked Each child would tell other children who would come asking After a while huge crowds of children were following her One of my fellow Alabama state senators became bothered by the crowds of children engulfing us He took a strong stance that Faya must stop giving to the children She said to him: “You listen to me Begging is hard work and I believe in rewarding hard work ” The senator left her alone However, this moment struck him deeply because each time I talk with him he tells the story and I hear and feel how powerfully it affected it Each time, he and I appreciate it all over Painting outside the lines On many occasions I have seen women tell Faya how much they admire something she is wearing She pulls it off right then and there and gives it to them I see her stop on the roadside at a stoplight or a stop sign to give money to those holding signs begging for money Most people keep going Sometimes she doesn’t have cash with her and when we are riding together she gets money from me to give Painting outside the lines Faya believes strongly in protesting injustice and finds creative ways to protest One approach was employed in the Joe Gotta Go Campaign that was key to defeating Joe Smitherman, the 35-year incumbent Mayor of Selma Another was the Vote or Die Initiative that helped elect Doug Jones as U S Senator for Alabama A white man threatened to kill her because she was driving my car with the Vote or Die sign Painting outside the lines
Faya is always courageous What people may say never stops her from acting in the pursuit of justice What people may do never stops her from acting to further justice Faya is oftentimes fearless I recall that on at least two, maybe three occasions, the Selma police had cornered armed men in houses They could go in with blazing guns or wait for days However, Faya went into the houses to talk the armed gunman into giving up their guns and coming out Another time Faya was coming from Birmingham by herself when she saw policemen beating a Black man She stopped her car and demanded that they stop beating the man They stopped Painting outside the lines Faya is a fierce protector of children She has demanded Selma and Dallas County law enforcement prosecute the grown men who were sexually abusing children When she heard of the violation she acted Some of the men were in the school systems Some were in the community She followed up time and time again Painting outside the lines
Some organizations have been scared to invite Faya to speak at their programs There was widespread agreement that she was a dynamic speaker However, they were not sure of exactly what she might say If she felt strongly about an injustice, she would address the issue regardless of the platform She has been invited to speak nationally far more than locally Painting outside the lines
We have three children by birth We also have four children by foster relationship However, more than fifty other young people (I used to think it was 39 until my children corrected me) have stayed with us When a child did not have any
place to stay, people would say, Take them to Rose Sanders ” They never said, “Take them to Hank Sanders Faya s mother would often say that our children were going to be ruined because of all the other persons living in our house Whatever she was involved in she took the children and involved them Our children turned out more than alright Painting outside the lines
There are so many more examples, but space is limited However I want to say that marriage is one area that Faya has not painted outside the lines I also want to say that Faya fills space in rooms in kitchens, in buildings, in leadership, in conversation, in everything To her, space is always filled outside the lines Painting outside the lines
Now on to the Daily Diary
Saturday, May 10, 2025 – This was the day before Mother ’s Day I handled various matters at home and the office Then I traveled to Montgomery for dinner with several mothers and returned to Selma Among others I communicated with the following: Faya Rose Toure of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Ainka Sanders Jackson of the Selma Nonviolence Center and Bridge Crossing Jubilee; Khadijah Ishaq of Selma; Law Professor Kindaka Sanders; and Former Alabama Senator Malika Sanders Fortier
Sunday – This was Mother s Day I walked, hosted the Sunday School Lesson with Dr Margaret Hardy on Facebook Live and Z105 3 FM Radio Station, communicated with a number of mothers and worked into the evening Among others I communicated with the following: Sharon Wheeler of Montgomery; Elouise Anders of Baldwin County; Lelia Sanders Gordon of Massachusetts; Dixie Sanders Bonner of Talladega; Dr Fannie Sanders McKenzie of McDonough Georgia; Charles Sanders of West Blocton; and Lauren Arrington of Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Monday – I handled many matters as I worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Dallas County License Commissioner Sandra Cowan; Law Professor Emerita Martha Morgan; Alabama New South Coalition State Coordinator Shelley Fearson; Greene County school Superintendent Dr Corey Jones; Jason Copeland of Gadsden; Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton; Josiah Jackon of Morehouse College; Anyiana Perkins of Atlanta; Stacey Jones of Montgomery; Lowndes County School Superintendent Samita Jeter; Yvette Patterson of Lowndes County; Consultant Rick Heartsill; and York Police Chief Damien
Steele
Tuesday – I handled many matters, had a business lunch, participated in a virtual call traveled to Lowndes County handled matters and returned to Selma Among others, I communicated with the following: Wallace Community College President Dr James Michell; Montgomery businessman Frank Jenkins; John Stamps of Bessemer; Lowndes County School Board members Steve Foster, Travis Rogers, Ben Davis and Brant McCray; Delta Hardy of Atlanta; Brenda Page Smith whose family member is low sick; Robert H Turner of Marion; and Sabrena Fulford of Wallace Community College Selma; and Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins
Wednesday – I handled many matters, chaired a meeting and worked into the night Among others I communicated with the following: Alabama State Senator Vivian Davis Figures; Gloria Pompey, Josephine Curtis Marilyn Cosby Karen Jackson Geraldine Wofford, Charlene Williams, Junior Oliver Dr Ernest Okeke and Yolanda Howard of Selma; Azali Fortier of Spelman College; and Youlanda Curtis of Mobile
Thursday – I walked handled many matters, traveled to Hale County, returned to Selma chaired a SOS conference call meeting and worked into the night Among others, I communicated with the following: Askhari Little of Washington D C ; Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Collins Pettaway; Rosie Whiting of Lowndes County; Sam Walker Roxie Walker Jones and Robert Walker of Selma; Sylvia Fitts of Alabama New South; and Karen Jones of Montgomery
Friday – I handled many matters, attended an 80th early Birthday Celebration and worked into the night Among others, I communicated with the following: Jeanette Thomas of Prattville
EPILOGUE – There is nothing wrong with people who paint outside the lines There is something right with them because they tap into a creativity, vision and strength that we do not easily perceive Painting outside the lines
EarthTalk®
From the Editors of E -
The Environmental Magazine
Dear EarthTalk: How big a role has corruption played in slowing the global fight to combat climate change, and what’s being done to increase transparency?- Horace Wilson, Miami, FL
Climate change is a pressing problem worldwide, and yet corruption continues to obstruct significant progress Corruption is defined as the abuse of
Genocide
The
entrusted power for private gain Powerful industries and the people they fund, often spread misinformation and lobby at meetings with world leaders to obstruct policy decisions Governmental bribery and fraud lead to the misuse of money meant for climate protection All these forms of corruption cost billions of dollars and potentially thousands of lives
Some of the largest back-
and funding large events and research institutions
Lobbying and bribery lead to weak environmental policies, and corruption feeds the illegal trade of animals and other wildlife crimes
ers of climate corruption are large fossil fuel companies
A study by Transparency International (TI) in January 2024 found that seven major Big Oil companies had a total lobbying budget of 64 million Euros, and attended more than 1,000 meetings with the European Commission mostly concerned with Green Deal policies Big Oil networks hold power by hiring former government officials
Over four days the attendees will discuss innovations in technology collaborations and various other elements of an industry that last year generated nearly $14 billion in revenue
Notably, according to one participant, there is no planned discussion of violence against white farmers or Afrikaner refugees escaping government- sponsored race-based discrimination, including racially discriminatory property confiscation” without compensation as President Donald Trump wrote in a Feb 7 executive order that opened the way for the 59 South Africans to come to U S , despite a ban on refugees from other nations
That ban includes refugees from Afghanistan and Iraqi, who served as interpreters and aides to U S armed forces
The executive order referenced South Africa s Expropriation Act enacted last year, which in some cases allows the government to seize unused land without compensation something Cyril Ramaphosa, the country s president, said has not happened
The act awakened a profoundly troubling argument over land rights South Africa's dark history of racism includes the confiscation of land from Black residents, both before and during the apartheid Afrikaners the minority white descendants of Dutch and French set-
DOJ
Interim U S Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba who served as Trump s personal attorney and previously worked as counselor to the president, announced the charges against McIver on X on Monday night before they were made public On Tuesday, McIver told NBC News that she had learned of the charges on social media after Habba posted about them "It’s political intimidation, and I’m looking forward to my day in court, she said Tuesday McIver had called the charges “purely political” in a statement on Monday night and said she looked forward to the truth being laid out clearly in court ” Earlier this month, I joined my colleagues to inspect the treatment of ICE detainees at Delaney Hall in my district We were fulfilling our lawful oversight responsibilities, as members of Congress have done many times before and our visit should have been peaceful and short Instead, ICE agents created an unnecessary and unsafe confrontation when they chose to arrest Mayor Baraka,” she said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche backed Habba s statement, writing on X that “assaults on federal law enforcement will not be tolerated Habba also said her office had dropped trespassing charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a candidate for New Jersey governor who was arrested on May 9 the day McIver and two other House Democrats were at the facility "After extensive consideration we have agreed to dismiss Mayor Baraka's misdemeanor charge of trespass for the sake of moving forward " Habba said
An affidavit by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Robert Tansey said that McIver made physical contact with another Homeland Security Investigations special agent as well as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer when they protested Baraka's removal An affidavit by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Robert Tansey said that McIver made physical contact with another Homeland Security Investigations special agent as well as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer when they protested Baraka's removal Baraka was arrested during a chaotic scene that involved a protest outside the ICE detention center in Newark known as Delaney Hall McIver was one of three Democratic members of the New Jersey congressional delegation present who have repeatedly said they were on site to inspect the facility in their capacity as lawmakers conducting federal oversight Trump administration officials have accused the lawmakers of storming into the facility Members of Congress are not above the law and cannot illegally break into detention facilities, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said May 9
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem argued Monday night in a statement on X that "a thorough review of the video footage of Delaney Hall and a full investigation" by her department supported the charge against McIver House Democratic leaders condemned the charges against McIver in a joint statement Monday night calling them morally bankrupt and saying they lacked any basis in law or in fact ”
By visiting the detention center in Newark, Rep McIver and two other Members of Congress were upholding their oath of office They didn’t assault anyone, but were themselves aggressively mistreated by illegally masked individuals,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Reps Katherine Clark of Massachusetts Pete Aguilar and Ted Lieu of California and Joe Neguse of Colorado
“The proceeding initiated by the so-called U S Attorney in New Jersey is a blatant attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate Congress and interfere with our ability to serve as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch " they said adding that House Democrats will respond vigorously in the days to come at a time, place and manner of our choosing ”
Contact Chief Tommy Johnson 205- 496-5317
Climate change and fraud have a reciprocal relationship Studies show that climate-induced disasters can lead to greater corruption After a natural disaster, a country will often receive money and other resources which officials could deliberately misuse Exacerbated by the quick response that disaster relief requires, less thorough oversight over funds can result in wasted money, worsening the effects on communities TI’s Corruption Perception Index (2024) and the ND-GAIN measurement of climate readiness were analyzed together and showed a correlation where countries with worse corruption
had worse climate readiness especially pronounced in developing areas such as East Asia, South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean In these countries environmental defenders also face a higher risk of being murdered
The interplay of corruption and climate change can seem overwhelming but there are groups and people fighting for protection As Drs Gvantsa Gverdtsiteli and Roberto Kukutschka stated for TI, Making sure that as many impacted people as possible are involved in climate projects and weeding out undue influence is key to their success ” The National Whistleblower Center protects and rewards whistleblowers who expose corruption via legal assistance, policy promotion and public education For those who need help
against corruption the Targeting Natural Resource Corruption Consortium provides resources TI s work includes a Climate and Corruption Atlas which tracks and analyzes corruption cases across the world On the local level, groups should seek to engage communities in disaster relief to better tailor the funding solutions, as well as increase public availability of both climate and financial data
CONTACTS: National Whistleblower Center, h t t p s : / / w w w w h i s t l e b l o wers org/ EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk See more athttps://emagazine com To donate, visit https://earthtalk org Send questions to: question@earthtalk org
tlers who arrived in South Africa in the 1600s were leaders of the apartheid regime that ended in 1994
The purported goal of the Expropriation Act is to shrink the vast land ownership disparity that came with the oppressive rule According to the organization Action for Southern Africa 72% of farms and agricultural holdings are owned by whites who make up 7 3% of the population Black Africans, representing 81 4%, own only 4% of the land Trump asserted on Monday ahead of the refugees arrival in the U S that white farmers are being brutally killed and the land is being confiscated in South Africa ”
Yet Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa said that the spirit of NAMPO this week reaffirms that “genocide” of white South African farmers was imaginary and not happening in our country
“We’re all disturbed that the U S side is alleging that there’s genocide and mistreatment of white farmers in South Africa It is incorrect, said Sihlobo, who is also co-author of the book “The Uncomfortable Truth About South Africa’s Agriculture ” If anything, the sector continues to flourish [Trump's] comments are misinformed and not mirroring the reality on the ground in the country ” he said
Big, Beauitful Bill
Oh, and there would be some $350 billion to fund Trump’s mass deportation plans and the Pentagon
And to be able to do this, Republicans are looking to cut some $800 billion over the next 10 years to the Medicaid health care program, “which is used by 70 million Americans These Medicaid cuts would result in more than 13 million people losing their health insurance $290 billion to food aid in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as SNAP; and others ” AP reports
Speaker Mike Johnson has already claimed that he wants this bill pushed through by Memorial Day sending it to the Senate, where Republicans are working on their own version Johnson has been given the reins to create a bill that can get the 218 votes needed to pass the House, but good luck with that
The bill was blacked in the House Budget Committee last week when four conservative Republican House members voted against the bill, because it did not cut the social safety net fast enough and soon enough to suit them In a special Sunday night session, these representatives were promised additional unspeciXied concessions and voted the bill out of committee
Senators of rural states, many of them are Republicans are concerned that the bill as it stands would leave many of their constituents without healthcare, or forced to pay more
Sen Josh Hawley (R-Mo ) said he’s Xine with the new work requirements and antifraud provisions that House Republicans have proposed for Medicaid, but he raised concerns about their cost-sharing proposal which he said would make ‘beneXiciaries pay more ’”
These are working people in particular who are going to have to pay more,” Hawley told the Hill “The provider tax in particular, that could have a big impact in my state and lead to reduced coverage so I’ve got some concerns I think we need to look really, really carefully at that I continue to maintain my position that we should not be cutting Medicaid beneXits, he said
Under Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clark the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice convicted more than 180 police officers for civil rights violations and investigated 12 police departments and launched prison abuse investigations President Biden issued an executive order to track police misconduct ban chokeholds, and strengthen de-escalation training
The second Trump Administration eliminated all DEI initiatives across the federal government on Day One It rescinded Biden-era executive orders including those advancing voter registration and equitable Census outreach It froze all open DOJ civil rights investigations
It is of the utmost urgency that we rise to defend not only the progress made in the years immediately after George Floyd’s murder but of the last 60 years
The National Urban League met the moment in 2020 by establishing a new division Equitable Justice and Strategic Initiatives, to advocate for a fair justice system and equal access to participation in democracy and civic processes
We developed “21 Pillars for Redefining Public Safety and Restoring Community Trust as a national framework for police reform
We developed a new phase of civil rights and social justice advocacy and activism, “D3,” based on three guiding principles -- Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, and Defeat Poverty Immediately after Inauguration Day this year, the National Urban League convened the Demand Diversity Roundtable, an emergency strategy session to confront immediate threats posed by the new administration’s anticipated attacks on civil and human rights
Represented by the Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal, we and our co-plaintiffs National Fair Housing Alliance and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s unconstitutional anti-equity executive orders
We launched the Fair Budget Coalition to advocate for an inclusive federal budget
History will judge us – not by how we responded in the days after George Floyd s death, but by what we are building five ten and twenty years later The fight for justice safety, and dignity is far from over and the stakes for our democracy could not be higher
Budget Plan
“The President’s Skinny Budget reflects funding levels for an agency that is responsibly winding down, shifting some responsibilities to the states, and thoughtfully preparing a plan to delegate other critical functions to more appropriate entities ” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon in a related statement The federal government has invested trillions of taxpayer dollars into an education system that is not driving improved student outcomes – we must change course and reorient taxpayer dollars toward proven programs that generate results for American students
For the fiscal year that begins October 01, an additional 15 3 percent agency cut would drop education funding another $12 billion from FY 2025’ $78 7 billion Among these proposed cuts are programs that speak to 21st Century dynamics affecting higher education:
$980 million – an 80 percent reduction to the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program;
$75 million for Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) for campus- based childcare services to parents of low-income parents enrolled in postsecondary education;
$64 million cut to Howard University, only federally chartered Historically Black College and University; and $49 million from its Office of Civil Rights, a 35 percent reduction to the office that investigates claims of race sex and other discrimination in schools
These specific and modest programs respond to the needs of today’s college students that are quite different from those of yesteryear The historical 4-year completion rate for an undergraduate degree at a young age has been shrinking for several years Instead, the growing percentage of college students trend older in age take longer to graduate, and in the case of Black students, often have children to care for as well Even after graduation today’s marketplace demands an ongoing challenge to update skills and education to remain competitive
According to a recent policy brief by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Development:
“Black college students are more likely to be parents than other racial groups at both community colleges and fouryear institutions Over one in three (36 percent) of Black students enrolled in community colleges in 2020 were parents Forty percent of Black women in college are raising children Black single mothers comprise 30 percent of undergraduate students who are single mothers and nearly 70 percent of Black single-mother students are first-generation college students Black fathers make up 19 percent of student parents and are less likely to have access to childcare assistance than fathers of other races
CCAMPIS is designed to address this growing need Competitive federal grant administered by the U S Department of Education, help colleges fund on-campus childcare for Pell-eligible students Unfortunately, the program s funding has never been enough to meet student parents’ needs Fewer than 4,000 parent students have benefitted from the program when there are approximately 1 5 million student parents who have children under the age of six, according to the D C -based New America
For now, the popular Pell Grant program continues to serve more than 6 million students from low-income households But its maximum award per student is $7,395 for the 2025-2026 school year – not enough to cover the anticipated family contribution many schools expect for tuition and other expenses
With this kind of demonstrated need for college assistance, it s hard to understand why the Federal Work Study program would face the budget ax Through its part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need the monies earned lessen the need to borrow loans, while also encouraging work related to the student’s course of study or community service – with a very modest government investment
When 78 percent of Black student parents have no family financial support for college, as the Joint Center report found funding college financial support is not only good for Black America – it’s in the nation’s long-term interest
The budget bottom line should recognize the huge difference between a handout and a hand up
Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending She can be reached at Charlene crowell@responsiblelending org
Mar c H. Morial
Climate & Corruption Atlas analyzes corrupt behaviors and makes recommendations to stakeholders involved in managing climate funds
IN THE MATTER OF IN THE PROBATE COURT OF THE ESTATE OF
GREENE COUNTY, ALABAMA SINNIE NEAL
RICHARDSON, DECEASED
CASE NUMBER: 2023067
NOTICE OF SALE OF PROPERTY REAL PROPERTY
Pursuant to an Order of the Probate Office of Greene County Alabama the following real property will be sold at public auction at 11:00 a m on the 17th day of June 2025 at the Greene County Courthouse, Eutaw, Alabama
Parcel One (House and Lots):
Lots 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Block C of Rosedale Subdivision as shown by map or plat of said Rosedale Subdivision recorded in Map Book 1 page 41 in the Probate Office of Greene County, Alabama
Revenue Commissioner
Parcel Nos 18-08-34-4012-003 000 and 18-0834-4-012-003 001
Parcel Two:
From the right-of-way marker “8 + 72 5” on U S Highway No 11, run Easterly along the centerline of said U S Highway 11 a distance of 446 feet; thence N 1 27 E along the West side of an alley (Old Springfield Road) a distance of 296 feet to the Southeast corner of that parcel of land described in Deed Book 125 Page 465 Probate Office of Green County, Alabama; thence run S 87º55’ W for 100 feet to the point of beginning of herein described property; thence from the said point of beginning run N 88º37 W for 234 8 feet; thence N 17º00’ W for 93 2 feet to a point on the South bank of Barnes Branch; thence along the South bank of said branch, a chord of which is S 88º41 E for 207 feet to the Northwest corner of said lot described in Deed Book 125 Page 465; thence South for 90 feet to the point of beginning Said property lies in Section 34, Township 22 North, Range 2 East, Greene County Alabama and contains 0 45 acres more or less
Revenue Commissioner Parcel No 18-08-34-2001-076 000
Parcel Three: From ROW marker 8º 72 5 on Highway 11, run easterly along the center line of said Highway 11 a distance of 446 feet; thence north 1 27 east along the west side of an alley for a distance of 296 feet to the point of beginning and the Northeast corner of the lot herein described; thence south 87º55 west a distance of 336 feet to the northwest corner of the lot herein described; thence south 0º30 west a distance of 138 5 feet to the southwest corner of the lot herein described; thence run in an easterly direction a distance of 343 feet along the north boundary of the O R Brown lot to the west boundary of said alley; thence north 1º27’ east along the west boundary of said alley a distance of 120 feet to the point of beginning
LESS AND EXCEPT: Commence at a point in the centerline of U S Highway No 11 at State 8+72 5, thence run in an easterly direction along said centerline for 446 0 feet to a point on the west right-of-way line of an alley or street, thence run
north 1º27 east along said right-of-way of 211 0 feet to the point of beginning; thence continue along same line for 85 0 feet to a point on the north line of the former Augusta Cockrell property (now William H Frederick) and which is the northeast corner of the lot herein described thence turn 93º32 to the left and run south 87º28’ to the left and run south 1º27’ west for 85 0 feet thence turn 93 32 to the left and run north 87º55’ east for 115 0 feet to the point of beginning
Revenue Commissioner Parcel No 18-08-34-2001-074 000
Parcel Four:
Begin at the North line of the new U S Highway No 11 and the Western line of the old Springfield Road; thence run in a Northwesterly direction along the West line of the old Springfield Road 137 feet and 7 inches; thence turn an angle to the left 95º and 3”; thence run in a Westerly direction 164 feet and 3 inches; thence turn an angle to the left 87º and 2 ; thence run in a Southerly direction 171 feet and 9 inches to the North right of way line of the new U S Highway No 11 on a curve to the left of 3º36” to a distance of 164 feet to the point of beginning; being in Section 34, Township 22 North, Range 2 East
Revenue Commissioner Parcel No 18-08-34-2001-073 000
Parcel Five: Commence at the Northwest corner of Section 4 Township 22 North, Range 2 East, also known as the Point of Commencement; thence run N 87 45’ E 310 0 feet to a point; thence run S 46 17’ 30” E, 221 0 feet to a point; thence run N 87 45 W 875 feet to a point; thence run S 01 40’ E, 427 5 feet to a 2” iron pin found at fence corner, also known as the POINT OF BEGINNING; thence run along a fence S 89 53 37 E 321 71 feet to a 1/2 iron pin set; thence run S 28 45’ 04” E, 60 0 feet to a 1/2” iron pin set; thence continue S 28 45 04” E, 151 1 feet to a 1/2” iron pin set; thence continue S 28 45 04 E 195 0 feet to a 1/2 iron pin set; thence run N 84 29’ 23” W, 522 86 feet to a 1/2” iron pin found; thence run N 00 38’ 20” E, 306 4 feet to the Point of Beginning Said herein described tract contains 3 2 acres, more or less, and is situated in the North Half of Section 4 T22-N, R-2-E, Greene County, Alabama Revenue Commissioner Parcel No 18-02-04-0000-004 004
The terms of sale are as follows: the parcels will be auctioned off individually and in total The total of the individual bids will be compared to bid(s) for all of the property The higher total shall be presented to the Court for its approval If approved, the successful bidder(s) shall close within 60 days from the date of approval On or before 12:00 p m , June 23, 2025, the high bidders shall pay a $1 000 00 deposit for Parcel One and a deposit of 5% of the bid amount for Parcels Two through Five
Rolonda M Wedgeworth Probate Judge
Richard G Cross Watkins Cross, LLC Post Office Box 1528 Livingston Alabama 35470
3tcg 5/14, 21, 28
SECTION 00020
INVITATION FOR
BIDS
The Housing Authority of Greene County Eutaw Alabama will receive bids for the Modernization of Public Housing Sites AL190-1, VII and AL1902 VIII HUD Modernization Project No AL09-P190-501-23, until 2:00 PM, (Central Time) on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the central office of the Authority 429 William Branch Heights Drive, Eutaw, Alabama 36442 at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud
The project consists of furnishing all plant labor materials equipment and all services and performing and coordinating all operations for the Modernization of Public Housing Sites AL190-1, VII and AL1902, VIII, HUD Modernization Project No AL09-P190-501-23 The Work of the base bid shall include, but is not necessarily limited to replacement exterior doors, frames and hardware and work incidental thereunto Attention and reference is directed to the General Notes of the drawings Contract documents including drawings and technical specifications, are on file at the office of The Housing Authority of Greene County 429 William Branch Heights Drive, Eutaw, Alabama 36442 and The Architectural Office of William J Peek, 908 S Hull St , Suite 210, Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Copies of contract documents may be obtained by depositing $200 00 with The Architectural Office of William J Peek for each set of documents so obtained Each such deposit will be refunded if the drawings and specifications are returned in good condition within ten days after bid opening
Plans and specifications will be issued only to qualified contractors licensed by the State Licensing Board of General Contractors of Alabama as required by Title 34 Chapter 8 Code of Alabama, 1975 as amended Only bids of such contractors who are duly licensed will be considered Current license number must be displayed on the sealed envelope in which the bid is delivered or the bid WILL NOT be accepted
Bidders are requested to inspect the property and the buildings themselves as well as operations and conditions that may be affected
A certified check or bank draft payable to the order of The Housing Authority of Greene County or a satisfactory bid bond executed by the bidder and an acceptable surety company in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total bid shall be submitted with each bid Acceptable Surety Companies are listed in the current issue of the U S Department of the Treasury Circular 570
Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages as set forth in the contract documents must be paid on this project, and that the contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
Contractors are reminded that in accordance with State Law, Alabama General Contractor ’s licensing number shall be displayed on the sealed envelope in which the bid is delivered or the bid will not be accepted
Each bid must include the Representations Certi-
fications and Other Statements of Bidders, 1992 Edition, Non-Collusive Affidavit and the Previous Participation Certificate signed by the bidder and on the correct HUD forms
The Housing Authority of Greene County reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to waive any informality in the bidding
Bids may be held by The Housing Authority of Greene County for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening of bids for the purpose of reviewing them and investigating the qualifications of the bidders, prior to awarding the contract
The Housing Authority of Greene County
By: Anita D Lewis
Title: Executive Director
3tcg 5/14, 21, 28
STATE OF ALABAMA
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE COLLECTION SERVICES DIVISION
INVITATION FOR BIDS FOR THE SALE OF PROPERTY LOCATED IN GREENE COUNTY ALABAMA
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 40-2923(b), Code of Alabama 1975, that the Alabama Department of Revenue is accepting sealed bids for the sale of the following real properties described below, acquired as a result of a Levy Sale Sealed bids shall be submitted online at: https://www ebuy alabama gov, until the closing date and time of 11:59 p m Friday June 13 2025 at which time all bids will be opened and read in the Collection Services Division Bids will not be accepted after the above stated date and time
Brief Description of property offered:
THE E ½ OF THE NW ¼ OF SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 22 NORTH, RANGE 2 EAST IN GREENE COUNTY ALABAMA, CONTAINING EIGHTY (80) ACRES, MORE OR LESS SOURCE OF TITLE: DEED BOOK 136 PAGE
400
The property is located at or near Lamb Road Eutaw Alabama 35462; Parcel Identification Number: 18-01-02-0-000002 000#0; as described in Inst Num: 54116- Deed Book 208 Page 434
The parcels are being offered “as is” and “where is” without recourse against the State of Alabama Department of Revenue It is the responsibility of the bidder to inspect the property conditions before submitting a bid by driveby only, without trespassing on the property in any manner Bidders must agree to all terms listed online before submitting a bid If you wish to bid on this property, please complete the Sealed Bid Form online
The minimum bid for this parcel is $100,000 00 EACH bid submitted online must be accompanied by an EFT bid deposit payment of ten percent (10%) of the total amount of the bid Any bid submitted without payment of the bid deposit will not be considered The deposits of unsuccessful bidders will be returned following the bid closing date NO BID SHALL BE RECEIVED FOR ANY REASON ANY TIME AFTER THE ADVER-
TISED DEADLINE IT SHALL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BIDDER TO ENSURE ACTUAL RECEIPT OF THE BID BY THE COLLECTION SERVICES DIVISION PRIOR TO THE ADVERTISED DEADLINE
The Alabama Department of Revenue reserves the right to withdraw the property from sale at any time and the right to reject any or all bids
For more information about the sale contact: Alabama Department of Revenue Collection Services Division-Sealed Bid Sale P O Box 327820
Montgomery, AL 361327820
Telephone: (334) 2421229 3tcg 14, 21, 28
Legal Notice In Re:
Johnnie Wayne Cleckler deceased Letters Testamentary having been granted to Shirley Faye Pigg on the 5th day of May, 2025, by the Honorable Rolonda M Wedgeworth Judge of Probate for Greene County Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred Shirley Faye Pigg
Executor
Zane L Willingham Attorney at Law Griess Shaw & Willingham P C 315 Main Street P O Box 528 Eutaw, AL 35462 Phone: 205-372-9333 Fax: 05-372-4027 www eutawlaw com 5/14,21, 28
SECTION 00020
A D V E R T I S E M E N T FOR BIDS
Separate sealed bids for the construction of Greene Track Lagoon Project, Project No CS010941-01 will be received at 639 Black Bears Way Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 until 10:00 oclock A M , C D S T JUNE 10 2025 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud The Notice to Bidders Form of Bid Form of Contract, Plans, Specifications, and Forms of Bid Bond Performance and Payment Bond, and other Contract Documents are open to public inspection at the office of SENTELL ENGINEERING INC 639 Black Bears Way, Tuscaloosa, Alabama Copies may be obtained by calling Tuscaloosa Blueprint at (205) 752-9825 and request the plans and upon a payment of Eighty Five Dollars ($ 85 00 ) All checks shall be made payable to Tuscaloosa Blueprint No refunds will be given for plans
Each bidder must deposit with his bid security in the amount, form, and subject to the conditions provided in the Notice to Bidders
Pre-Bid Conference
A pre-bid conference for the project will be held on MAY 20, 2025 at 10:00 A M located at Sentell Engineering Inc 639 Black Bears Way, Alabama 65401
The successful bidder will be required to furnish in satisfactory form within ten (10) days of Notice of Award to Contract:
(a) A Performance Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the total amount of the contract price
(b) A Payment Bond for one hundred percent (100%) of the total amount of the contract price
(c) Adequate Public Liability and Workmen's Compensation Insurance
The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State Law governing "General Contractors" as set forth in Chapter Eight of Title Thirty Four of the 1975 code of Alabama as amended
All BIDDERS must comply with the requirement of the Contractor s Licensing Law of the State of Alabama and be certified for the type of work for which a proposal is submitted The submission of the BIDDER’s current State of Alabama License number will be required before his/her BID will be received or considered and shall be written on the outside of the envelope in which Bid is submitted All Bids must be plainly marked on the outside of the envelope: BID FOR: Greene County Water & Sewer Authority Greene Track Lagoon Project Project No : CS01094101 Opening on JUNE 10, 2025 @ 10:00 AM
No Bidder may withdraw his bid within 60 days after the actual date of the opening thereof
The owner reserves the right to waive any informalities or to reject any and all bids Greene County Water and Sewer Authority 3tcg 5/8,15,22
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION The Town of Boligee is soliciting proposals from qualified firms and individuals interested in providing professional services related to the preparation and implementation of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds available from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
PROGRAM ADMINIS-
TRATION: These tasks shall include, but not be limited to preparation of a grant application to be submitted to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), and then, if the grant is awarded by ADECA, the preparation of an environmental review record; preparation of all necessary documents to remove grant conditions; preparation of requests for state funds to ensure consistency with all Federal and State Accounting procedures; establish and maintain project files; monitor program progress; monitor compliance with all applicable Federal and State requirements; assist with the preparation of bid and contract documents; and preparation of all reports as required by ADECA inclusive of preparation of close-out documents for submission to ADECA upon project completion All applicants must submit their qualifications list any prior experience with Community Development Projects in the State of Alabama list any experience with other federally funded projects, and list any previous experience within the Town of Boligee All applicants must include a lump sum fee for all services to be provided from project initiation through project close-out
See Legal Notices, p 9
GCCC staf f shower ed with a ppr eciation
Greene County Career Center is so grateful to our Adopt-A-School partner, the Greene County Retired Teachers Association, for showering our teachers with love during Teacher Appreciation Week Your thoughtful gifts and continued support mean the world to us Thank you for reminding our educators how valued and appreciated they truly are
St. John Chur ch lifts all mother s on Mother’s Day
St John Missionary Baptist Church held their annual Mother ’s Day Program May 11, 2025 Awards were presented to the Mother of the Church / the Oldest Mother of the Church Sis Opal McMillian, 1st Lady Sis Tiffany Lavender and the Youngest
Mother, Sis Natalie Hunter (shown sitting)
Mother ’s Day celebrates honored mothers and those who are just like mothers to us It was a day to thank them for their love, care, and support throughout the years Youth
recited poems and inspirational music was rendered
A message of God’s love brought three souls to confess Christ and be baptized and one to be christened next meeting, Sunday, May 25, at 10:30 St John hosts Sunday
School every Sunday beginning at 10:00 a m Worship service every 2nd and 4th Sunday beginning at 11:00 a m All are welcome to come and fellowship Rev Michael Lavender is church pastor
Mayor and City Council honor Ms. Faye Tyr ee
The Mayor and City Council acknowledged Ms. Faye Tyree for her steadfast commitment and dedication to supporting the Eutaw Police Department in any capacity possible, whether it is advocating on their behalf at regularly attended council meetings or commending their community efforts
National Police Week May 11-17
In commemoration of National Police Week, we pay tribute to our Police Department and Chief Tommy Johnson for their selfless service. Our department's commitment to community safety is reflected in their tireless dedication and focus, and we extend our sincerest appreciation If you meet one of our officers, kindly extend your gratitude and acknowledge their vital role in ensuring public safety
The Housing Authority of Greene County is seeking Assistant Housing Manager
To assist the Housing Manager in all phases of housing development administration as assigned including but not limited to: resident counseling, site inspections, implementing local departmental procedures and policies; and the use of tact and judgment and initiative in solving operational and property related problems; assisting with the application process in determining eligibility, monitoring and ensuring compliance with dwelling lease agreements; assist with management of rental programs In the absence of the Housing Manager the Assistant Manager will assume all responsibilities associated with carrying out the mission and goals of the properties
All interested parties must mail resumes and applications to Housing Authority of Greene County attention: Executive Director at P O Box 389, Eutaw, Alabama 35462
You can pick-up applications at 429 W M Branch Hgts Eutaw, Alabama 35462 Hours: 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: High school degree or equivalent
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Public housing programs principles of organization, administration, and budgeting
EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of one (1) year related experience in multi-family property management or related administrative areas, low-income tax credits, real estate marketing, rent collections, leasing of units,execution of lease
SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Excellent oral and written communications abilities
Solid
Shown above L to R: Sis Lois Butchee, Mary Hill, Pastor Michael Lavender, Sis Jannie Hicks; Sitting Natalie Hunter, Opal McMillian, and 1st Lady Tiffany Lavender
Proposals will be rated according to the following criteria:
Experience with the Community Development Block Grant Program-30 points
Professional qualifications-20 points
Knowledge and familiarity with the community-20 points
Experience with Federally funded projects-20 points
Cost of services to be provided 10 points
These proposals are being requested in accordance with 2 CFR 200 UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, COST PRINCIPLES AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FEDERAL AWARDS and the modified” Common Rule as adopted by the State of Alabama A contract will be awarded to the qualified applicant whose proposal is determined to be the most appropriate The Town reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, and to waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposal process
Envelopes containing proposals must be sealed and labeled on the outside as follows: “Statement of Qualifications for Grant Administration Services Town of Boligee Community Development Block Grant” and be mailed or hand-delivered to Sharon Washington, Town Clerk, Town of Boligee 17404 CR 20 Boligee AL 35443
All proposals shall contain original signatures facsimile copies will not be accepted Statements of Qualifications must be received no later than 4:00 pm on Thursday June 5, 2025 The Town of Boligee is an Equal Opportunity Employer Funding for this project will be provided by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development Com-
Le gal Notice
munity Development Block Grant program and all applicable federal requirements shall be met Minority and women owned business enterprises, as well as Section 3 persons and businesses are encouraged to submit proposals All firms shall be active in sam gov
Hattie Samuels, Mayor Town of Boligee 3tcg 4/7,15, 21
NOTICE TO PUBLIC REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS
ENGINEERING SERVICES
The Town of Boligee is soliciting statements of qualifications from qualified firms and individuals interested in providing professional services related to the preparation and implementation of a Community Development Block Grant funds available from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
ENGINEERING SERVICES: These tasks shall include but not be limited to assistance with preparation of a grant application to be submitted to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and then if the grant is awarded by ADECA, the level and scope of services to be provided by the consultant will be determined by the Town A lump sum fixed price fee will be required
Engineering services for all stages of design bidding and construction of the project are required Examples of services which firm must be prepared and qualified to provide shall include but not be limited to the following: The preparation of all necessary construction plans and specifications, the preparation of all bid documents and supervision of the bidding process that is consistent with Local State and
Federal regulations, the provision of on-site resident inspection services during the construction process in addition to regular progress reports to the Town At the completion of construction the project engineer shall conduct a final construction inspection and issue a final certificate of completion
As-built drawings shall be delivered to the Town Statements of qualifications will be evaluated and ranked on the basis of the following criteria:
Knowledge of the CDBG program- 20 points
Resources and availability- 20 points
Experience of proposed personnel- 20 points
Understanding and familiarity with the needs and environment of the community20 points
Previous experience in working with locality or localities similar to Boligee20 points
Total possible points to be achieved: 100
These statements of qualificiations are being requested in accordance with 2 CFR 200 UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS, COST PRINCIPLES, AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL AWARDS, and the “modified Common Rule as adopted by the State of Alabama A contract will be awarded to the qualified applicant whose statement of qualificaiton is determined to be the most appropriate The Town reserves the right to reject any or all statements of qualifications, and to waive any irregularities or informalities in the qualifications solicitation process
Envelopes containing statements of qualifications must be sealed and labeled on the outside as follows: “Statement of Qualifications for Engineering Serv-
ices Town of Boligee Community Development Block Grant and be mailed or hand-delivered to Sharon Washington Town Clerk Town of Boligee, 17404 CR 20, Boligee AL 35443 All proposals shall contain original signatures, facsimile copies will not be accepted Statements of Qualifications must be received no later than 4:00 pm on Thursday June 5, 2025 All statements of qualifications will be evaluated and an award decision will be made by the Town of Boligee The Town of Boligee is an Equal Opportunity Employer Funding for this project will be provided by the U S Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program and all applicable federal requirements shall be met Minority and women owned business enterprises, as well as Section 3 persons and businesses are encouraged to submit statements of qualifications All firms shall be active in sam gov Hattie Samuels Mayor Town of Boligee
3tcg 4/7 15 22
LEGAL NOTICE
S T Bunn Construction Co , Inc hereby gives Notice of Completion of contract with S T P
(
5 5 ) Greene County
This notice will appear for three (3) consecutive weeks beginning on April 30, 2025 and ending on May 14 2025 All claims shall be filed at 611 Helen Keller Blvd Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 during this period
S T Bunn Construction Co , Inc 4tcg 4/30 5/ 7 14 21
